[Fabrikk]

I have no clue what's causing this, therefore I didn't know where else to post it.

We have those lights that display a green man if it's okay for you to cross the road, and a red man if you have to wait. I (usually) never cross the road if there's a red man, not even when there are no cars around. I (usually) always wait for the green man.

Yet within the last few months, not only once, but twice I've gotten so lost in thoughts that I have simply walked straight out in traffic when there was a red man. The first time, it went fine because there were no cars around anyway. But the second time, I almost got hit by a car, and that car almost got hit by the car behind it, and so on.

When I get lost in thoughts, it's like time stops and I'm just floating around, thinking about whatever. It used to only happen when I was alone, for example while brushing my teeth or cooking (one of the reasons I never use the oven anymore).

Maybe it's normal to just walk out into traffic like that sometimes, but it's not normal for me. I had never done that before. I'm worried that I'm going to get hit by a car or cause a car to crash.

What can I do about it? I don't notice that it's happening before it's too late. For example when I brush my teeth and I get lost in thoughts, I don't notice before I look at the clock and see that it has been an hour or two already (and it feels like my mouth is on fire).

[Skeezyks]

Hello Fabrikk: Well... the Skeezyks hasn't had this problem. I've been nearly run down in the crosswalks SO many times that I'm extremely cautious crossing streets. Personally I almost prefer to cross in the middle of a block, rather than at an intersection. At least I only have to worry about cars coming from 2 directions. At an intersection I also have to worry about cars making turns. They're some of the worst!

I do have a tendency to get lost in thought though while at home, although I would have to say I've never brushed my teeth for an hour or two. Especially here on PC, I get caught up in replying to members' posts & completely forget about anything else I'm doing. I've learned to always use timers whenever I'm doing anything, such as cooking or baking, so that I don't forget about it & burn something up! I think, in my case, a lot of this is the result of the years-&-years of anxiety I have struggled with... that plus simple aging.

At home, you could also use timers (any kitchen supply company is likely to offer a variety of them) to bring you back from your reverie within an appropriate length of time. Of course that won't help with your primary concern... crossing streets. If you're on psych med's this may be something you should talk over with your prescribing physician. Perhaps it's med-related. Beyond that, I don't know how you prevent yourself from walking out into traffic if you're so lost in thought you don't even realize you're doing it until it's too late. As I wrote above, for me, being extra cautious at intersections has simply become habit as a result of the many close calls I've survived.

[DesperateWanderer]

If it's the same place you could mark something before the crossing to "remind yourself" to look, i.e. scratch a stone across the floor and you might remember to look for it instead.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Fabrikk

I have no clue what's causing this, therefore I didn't know where else to post it.

We have those lights that display a green man if it's okay for you to cross the road, and a red man if you have to wait. I (usually) never cross the road if there's a red man, not even when there are no cars around. I (usually) always wait for the green man.

Yet within the last few months, not only once, but twice I've gotten so lost in thoughts that I have simply walked straight out in traffic when there was a red man. The first time, it went fine because there were no cars around anyway. But the second time, I almost got hit by a car, and that car almost got hit by the car behind it, and so on.

When I get lost in thoughts, it's like time stops and I'm just floating around, thinking about whatever. It used to only happen when I was alone, for example while brushing my teeth or cooking (one of the reasons I never use the oven anymore).

Maybe it's normal to just walk out into traffic like that sometimes, but it's not normal for me. I had never done that before. I'm worried that I'm going to get hit by a car or cause a car to crash.

What can I do about it? I don't notice that it's happening before it's too late. For example when I brush my teeth and I get lost in thoughts, I don't notice before I look at the clock and see that it has been an hour or two already (and it feels like my mouth is on fire).

here in my location its not a mental disorder......yet.... for things like not paying attention and end up walking out in traffic. other locations outside the USA call this Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder. to find out what this is in your own location you would have to contact your own medical and mental health doctors who can administer medical and mental health testing to diagnose what the problem is and why you do it and what treatments will best work for you.

here in my location what works is called thought stopping... in short it means when finding yourself daydreaming or deep in thoughts at the wrong times to stop what you are doing, recognize your behavior and choosing a more appropriate time to do that activity when it wont interfere with what you are doing at this moment.

here in the USA there are also a couple therapy approaches that focuses on changing ones thoughts and behaviors called Cognative Behavioral Therapy (CBT)and Diabolical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) both of these will teach you how to control your daydreaming and sinking so deep into your thoughts that you end up a danger to your self or others.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

here in my location its not a mental disorder......yet.... for things like not paying attention and end up walking out in traffic. other locations outside the USA call this Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder. to find out what this is in your own location you would have to contact your own medical and mental health doctors who can administer medical and mental health testing to diagnose what the problem is and why you do it and what treatments will best work for you.

here in my location what works is called thought stopping... in short it means when finding yourself daydreaming or deep in thoughts at the wrong times to stop what you are doing, recognize your behavior and choosing a more appropriate time to do that activity when it wont interfere with what you are doing at this moment.

here in the USA there are also a couple therapy approaches that focuses on changing ones thoughts and behaviors called Cognative Behavioral Therapy (CBT)and Diabolical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) both of these will teach you how to control your daydreaming and sinking so deep into your thoughts that you end up a danger to your self or others.

re reading my post I see that my computers auto correct wrote the word diabolical ... the word is supposed to be dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) sorry for the confusions

Yeah, walking in front of cars is no good. Try to stay focused. From now on whenever you catch yourself drifting away, gently bring your attention back to the present moment of what you're actually doing, physically doing, and keep it there. Focusing the awareness until it becomes a second nature.

[avlady]

The day dreaming could be a sign of petite epilepsy, you should see a doc about it. i have it but i get grand mal seizures. I am 3 years without a full blown seisure, but do daydream alot still.

[MickeyCheeky]

I don't tknow what is it.. but please, be careful. It could be dangerous.. we don't want to lose you

[Artchic528]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

here in my location its not a mental disorder......yet.... for things like not paying attention and end up walking out in traffic. other locations outside the USA call this Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder. to find out what this is in your own location you would have to contact your own medical and mental health doctors who can administer medical and mental health testing to diagnose what the problem is and why you do it and what treatments will best work for you.

here in my location what works is called thought stopping... in short it means when finding yourself daydreaming or deep in thoughts at the wrong times to stop what you are doing, recognize your behavior and choosing a more appropriate time to do that activity when it wont interfere with what you are doing at this moment.

here in the USA there are also a couple therapy approaches that focuses on changing ones thoughts and behaviors called Cognative Behavioral Therapy (CBT)and Diabolical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) both of these will teach you how to control your daydreaming and sinking so deep into your thoughts that you end up a danger to your self or others.

OMG, this disorder is so something I might have!! I used to be so deep in thought when walking that I would wind up not being aware of my surroundings and walk right in front of moving cars. Thankfully, nobody got hurt, but still, it was very dangerous. My mind also seems to wander when I am reading. I would read a paragraph, but while my eyes would be reading, my mind would be someplace else and then I would realize I was off daydreaming and didn't absorb anything I just read, thus I'd have to reread that whole paragraph. It's especially prevalent if I'm rereading a book. My mind also wanders when I'm in the car. So much so that I can't really be behind the wheel.

I wish I could stop this unwanted daydreaming, or only do it when I deliberately want to, like at home when I'm perfectly safe. Too bad it's not yet recognized as a disorder in the USA right now.